After not having a formal lesson for approx. 2yrs I decided that I needed Dressage bootcamp! So I contacted my Rider / Coach / Trainer / Friend Simone Williams at Queenswood Stables in Navan and enlisted her help. Simone has trained with Neil and Cindy Ishoy, Gina Smith, Lisa Wilcox, Cara Whitham, Seigfried Peilicke, Robert Dover and Tommy Serio. She's a Level 3 Coach and has represented Canada in Pan Am games as well as being short listed- among many other accomplishments too numerous to list! But all of that means nothing to me compared to knowing that she is a good person who cares about her horses and her clients. So here I am on lesson #3 of my "Get back in shape" mission and I have to say that I am very impressed with the Coaching and the horses. Animals and Humans are kind and I am getting exactly what I asked for in a very positive and precise way! :) My first two lessons were with Simone and today I rode with Oswaldo Lazzuri as Simone was out of town. What I love most about my lessons is that I see a significant improvement from the beginning of the lesson to the end of it. I'm not saying I am looking pretty yet...but it is feeling better :) Today I was riding Kevin, a 17.2hh Bay with a big bouncy stride! He was perfect to show me exactly how I could improve my balance! I couldn't have asked for a better muscle imbalance and motor pattern evaluation as he made sure every one of my weaknesses showed up through every gait! Thank you Kevin as my physical conditioning programme is now very clear in my mind! I know that if I commit to a specific training programme my riding will improve that much faster and I will prevent injury. The cobwebs are only beginning to clear on my riding skills and as I am traveling to Manitoba next week without any riding time planned, I am going to need to do specific exercises combined with three methods of visualizations to ensure that I come back stronger than my last lesson on Friday. It's great having all of this training knowledge that I can apply to myself and get the results I need! I'm very grateful to all of the riders I have worked with as solving their issues gives me insight into my own! And now that I can finally start training regularly again, I'm excited to get into top shape in the next months :) Today is a good day to make our lives better. Wishing you health, Isabelle

Wow! It's crazy how it's almost been a year since I have written in my blog! Which is actually a clear indication of how busy I have been! In the past year I have traveled quite a bit promoting Health and Recreation for the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association in Aboriginal communities and fitting in Equestrian related activities whenever I could. I was invited to participate in Horse Day by the Ontario Equestrian Federation where I worked on a few riders and showed them how easily they could become pain free. My favorite part is seeing their expressions of shock when the injury they have complained about seems to have disappeared! Earlier this year I was in Wellington Florida where I presented at Jane Savoie's Dressage Mentor Reunion on the same topic. We also went to the Showgrounds where I was able to visit with some of my competitor friends. In the next months I am looking forward to giving a clinic outside of Seattle Washington as well as looking to book some dates in France. I am looking forward to working with the coaches and riders from the Royale Equestrian Centre on a regular basis as well. On the professional education side I have pursued more training that has to do with engaging the brain and changing limiting beliefs with Dr. Richard Bandler and John LaValle in Brighton, UK as well as in Orlando Florida. I took more facilitator training as well as Trainer Training with YMCA Canada and contimue to learn on my own through reading and online exploration. Now that my contract with CPRA is ending I am looking to do more work with Equestrians and their Coaches. It is my goal to inform and demonstrate how we can improve ourselves and our relationships with our horses through easy and effective practices. My work is based on scientific information however also includes Aboriginal Teachings of the Medicine Wheel which promote balance in the four aspects of being: Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual. I have decided to be more pro-active and not just rely on word of mouth, invitations and personal encounters to book clinic dates but create a media kit and start making it easier for others to find me. I think it's time I start sharing the real secrets behind the magic that I do so that more people can benefit. :) Don't hesitate ot contact me if you are interested in booking a clinic. I customize them to your needs! Wishing you health, Isabelle